Not that Evra himself has ever received a verbal volley from his notoriously demanding boss.

After overcoming a horrible start to his Premier League career, Evra has gone on to edge out Ashley Cole as its number one left-back.

But, after hearing all about "the hairdryer", Evra was waiting to see it. The date; January 21, 2007 is not one he will ever forget.

"Just remembering it makes me scared," said the France defender.

"It was at Arsenal two years ago. Thierry Henry scored in the last second. We came into the dressing room. Oh my God. He was so red, I thought he was going to die. He was unbelievable.

"People told me about the hairdryer but I had never seen it. When I did, it was very impressive."

As United have since gone on to win three successive Premier League titles, the Club World Cup and the Carling Cup and, on Wednesday, will look to defeat Barcelona in Rome's Stadio Olimpico to become the first team to successfully defend the European Cup since it was rebranded as the Champions League in 1992, presumably neither Evra, nor any of his team-mates, were keen to see a repeat performance.

It is certainly hard to square the image that so terrorised Evra that day, with the cuddly grandfather doting on the kids, which is the other side to Ferguson's genius.

"The manager comes everywhere," said Evra.

"He is like the grandfather. He protects everyone and wants them all to respect the Manchester United shirt.

"I have been here for three-and-a-half years now. I know, when you do the things he wants, the manager is a lovely guy.

"But you need to work very hard every day to make sure you don't disappoint him."

What Ferguson also manages to do is create a fierce team spirit.

Where else for example, would you find someone as disaffected as Carlos Tevez appears to be so determined to end the United part of his career in glory?

Throughout the club, Ferguson provokes a fierce loyalty, a one-for-all, all-for-one unity Evra rarely sees in his homeland.

"There will never be another coach like him," he suggested.

"I have been in France squads with 24 players. If you don't play, you are not happy.

"These guys are just sad. They don't go around the dressing room telling everyone they have to win.

"At Manchester United, when someone doesn't play, maybe a legend like Ryan Giggs they still wish everyone good luck. And they say it with their heart, not because they want to show they are a good team-mate.

"That is the difference. Ferguson makes sure the team is the star, not only one player. That is his secret."

Evra never lost faith, even after he was advised to accept a four-match ban for his part in the post-match fracas at Stamford Bridge last season.

The suspension came after the Football Association found Evra guilty of throwing a punch.

It is an allegation he denies and one that is still likely to get an elaborate response.

"I will never accept the fact I got a four-match ban because I didn't punch anybody," he said.

"I cannot accept that and it will still be like that in 10 years' time. It is part of my career. I will always say it."

Evra will however put his grievance to one side on Wednesday in a bid to ensure he comes out on top in his all-French duel with Thierry Henry.

The pair should not come into direct confrontation given Lionel Messi poses the threat on Barcelona's right flank.

But, having been in contact over the last few days, Evra dismissed the theory Henry might not play due to injury.

"He sent me a message saying he was working hard to be fit," said Evra.

"As soon as I received it, I knew he would play in the final.

"Thierry is an unbelievable player. During his first year at Barcelona a lot of people said he was finished.

"But this year he has scored a lot of goals and just like the big player he always was at Arsenal."